Community Highlights

Contestants participating in the Miss Black Mississippi USA Pageant spent part of their weekend giving back to the community through a school supply collection drive

Students participating in the Jackson Black History Tour recently took a powerful journey through the city’s Civil Rights history during “Walking in the Footsteps of Courage,” led by historian Dr. Frank Figgers

More than 100 local youth from the Boys & Girls Club of Jackson participated in a unique public art initiative connected to America’s upcoming 250th anniversary celebration

State Representative District 72 candidate Justis Gibbs hosted a fundraising reception at Rickhouse by Manship in Jackson

LEGAL NOTICES/CLASSIFIEDS - June 18 - June 24, 2026

JAAZ Sports Highlights

For additional information on the Legacy League,

please visit https://legacyleaguebaseball.com/

New Hope Baptist Church in Pearl installs Rev. Dr. Matthew Riley

By Brinda F. Willis, Ph.D.

JA Contributing Writer

The New Hope Baptist Church, 935 MS 469, in Pearl, Mississippi, installed Reverend Dr. Matthew Riley as its new pastor on June 7, 2026.

The family of Rev. Dr. Riley, including his wife, Mrs. Marie Cherry Riley; son, Matthew Jr.; and daughter, Kimberli, accompanied him during the installation ceremony.

Rev. Dr. Larry Weathers of Truelight Missionary Baptist Church delivered the message of the day.

Rev. Dr. Brodrick Hutchins of  Mt. Able M.B. Church (Canton, MS) was the Call to Worship leader and program guide for the installation service. The combined choirs of New Hope Baptist Church and Truelight Baptist Church provided the songs of praise throughout the installation services. Rev. Lee Carson (Pastor of Pilgrim Rest M.B. Church), Canton, MS, gave the Installation Charge to Rev. Dr. Riley. And Rev. Dr. Clifton Boggans delivered the Charge to the New Hope Church and Installation Prayer. Rev. Dr. Riley accepted the charge.

Self-Care Saturday in SoCal

Pelvic Healing Class (Photo: Nikia Whitaker)

By Alisha Reese, CMT

JA Health Writer

May was a busy month for me, but even while traveling, I make time to honor the commitments I’ve made to my wellness plan. No matter where life takes you, your self-care practices should travel with you. Consistency transforms wellness from something we do occasionally into a lifestyle. It takes discipline, intention, and a willingness to choose yourself repeatedly.

One of my favorite self-care experiences this spring was a 10/10 pelvic healing session held at Keyz N Thingz, located at 2435 West Manchester Blvd., in Inglewood, California. This was a FREE community offering, hosted by Nikia Whitaker. I arrived just before 10 a.m. to secure my spot and found a cozy place toward the back of the studio for my yoga mat. The room filled quickly with beautiful, smiling faces, and from the moment I walked in, I could feel a shift in the energy. There was warmth, connection, and an undeniable sense of community. Love was truly in the air.

OPINION: The Abraham Accords

President Donald J. Trump, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bahrain Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al-Zayani, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Minister of Foreign Affairs for the United Arab Emirates Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan signs the Abraham Accords Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2020, on the South Lawn of the White House. (Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead)

Dr. James E. Sulton Jr.

JA International Correspondent

The Abraham Accords are a set of U.S.-brokered agreements begun in 2020 to normalize diplomatic, economic, and security relations between Israel and a group of Arab and other Muslim majority states, notably the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain, and Morocco, with additional states later associating in different ways. As of mid 2026, the core normalization agreements remain intact despite the Gaza war, the American/Israeli war against Iran and wider regional instability. Yet, efforts to expand the Abraham Accords – especially to include Saudi Arabia in them – have slowed and become more conditional on making progress on the Palestinian issue.

The term Abraham Accords refers both to a general declaration and to a series of bilateral agreements signed on the White House lawn in the second half of 2020 between Israel and individual Arab states. The initial agreements began full diplomatic relations between countries, opened embassies, and laid out frameworks for cooperation in trade, investment, tourism, aviation, technology, and security.

The general Abraham Accords Declaration emphasized principles of mutual recognition, religious tolerance among Abrahamic faiths, and a shared vision of peace, security, and prosperity in the Middle East. It framed normalization not merely as an end to formal non recognition but as “warm peace”, with explicit commitments to foster interfaith dialogue and ties among people with different nationalities.

Upcoming Events

“The Rebirth of an Icon” Live Recording

Gospel music fans can mark their calendars for The Rebirth of an Icon, a live recording featuring Willie Banks Jr. and The Messengers with legendary gospel artist Willie Banks. The event will take place on Saturday, June 27th, 2026, at New Jerusalem Church, located at 5708 Old Canton Road in Jackson.

Doors open at 3:30 p.m., with the live recording beginning at 4 p.m. VIP admission is $65 and includes a red carpet experience, gift bag, and early access from 2:30–3:30 p.m. General admission tickets are $55.

The event promises an evening of gospel music as Willie Banks’ classic hits are brought back to the stage in a live recording setting.